Vidya Sagar
Site Address:
No 1 Ranjith Road, Kotturpuram
Chennai
,
Tamil Nadu
600085
India
Website:
vidyasagar.co.in
Location Details
Description
Vidya Sagar is a 40-year-old parent initiative based out of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The focus of our work is for the holistic development of children and adults with neurological impairments. The focus is on individuals with high restriction and high support needs. Vidya Sagar works on demystification of disability, empowering persons with special needs and their families and the communities they live in with the knowledge and skill while strongly advocating for inclusion in all spheres of life. The work is across life span through a range of innovative programs right from babies to adults. The organization believes in the right to equality of opportunity, an inclusive society where differences are celebrated, that disability is a development and a human rights issue. Over the years, Vidya Sagar has reached out to stake holders all over the state and the country. Vidya Sagar is known today for the quality, technical know-how, range of innovative and impactful programs, its “professionalism with care” and the pro-active and positive spirit of its team of staff and children. What sets us apart is our belief that all disabled persons (no matter how profound the disability) have a right to education and inclusion. At present we reach out to over 3,800 families.
Student Role
Vidya Sagar reaches out to stakeholders across ages through its institution and community based programs. Students will be a part of the team and would teach or assist teaching a small group of children or young adults with disabilities. They can also choose to intern at various supporting departments like Occupational therapy, physio, vision, speech, and communication. We also create innovative adaptations to help children with multiple disabilities in learning, play and leisure and carry out activities of daily living. The students will also get a chance to create learning materials suitable for specific children. Our production and vocational training center provides vocational skills to teens and young adults. Vidya Sagar has taken on the challenge of finding economically viable projects which will ensure livelihood and an income for the adult with disability. We offer training courses in Weaving, Leaf cup making and Handmade paper. We also have a youth program that focuses on leisure and friendship and increasing skill level. BLISS (Begin to Live Interdependently with support system) is a project that looks to develop support systems needed for adults with disabilities to live an Independent life. Recognizing the need to reach out to the last child in the community, Vidya Sagars community based rehab program(CBR) works in the villages and urban slums. Our Disability legislation Unit led by self advocates works in the areas of access, awareness, access to justice and runs a free legal aid clinic for persons with disabilities and their families. There are many opportunities for students to choose and pursue their area of interest during the internship.
Work Schedule
The school works from 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM from Monday to Friday. The other projects till five, Some projects like the youth project, CBR and BLISS work on Saturdays.
Orientation
Before the students arrive, we establish contact through online meetings, we set up a whatsapp group and answer any of their queries and understand any specific need and generally to help them feel comfortable with us. As soon as the students arrive and settle, we would provide them with an orientation of the organization, and they get a chance to meet and discuss with different project heads and spend some time across the projects. They can then choose the project/division that they want to work with. We generally also give the students a briefing about the country, its culture. A very important aspect of the orientation is the perspective to disabilities, advocacy and understanding nature and needs of different disabilities. As the student chooses the project of interest, the department head would give a detailed orientation, their roles and responsibilities. The team of Department heads and senior staff members of Vidya Sagar would take up these orientation meetings.
Housing Information
The students will live in a community hostel on the third floor of Vidya Sagar building with the other staff of the school. They will be allotted an airconditioned room 15×16 ft with bunk beds and attached toilet. All four students share one room. If the group is boys and girls, we would allot another room. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided from Monday to Saturday. Vidya Sagar provides vegetarian meals. On Sunday, students can eat out or cook themselves.
Spanish Language Proficiency
Not Applicable
Background Check
Notre Dame’s background check is sufficient;
Drivers License
No
Student Preferences
An interest to work with children and be friends with young adults with disabilities and be a part of a community living will be good. Creative arts, sports, or theater will be of benefit to the students they will work with. Skill with creating web content, social media expertise will also help.